buttonmashing

Mashing buttons since 1984

Nintendo DS

DS Lite, handheld perfection?

by 10 Comments

I am this close to declaring the DS Lite the perfect gaming machine, ever made. The DS as a console was really coming into its own, with a ginormous library of Game Boy Advance games right out of the box and a steady stream of DS games that were simply success after success. Then they gave us the Lite and its sexy, svelte look and bright, beautiful screens and Nintendo had achieved handheld perfection.

I’m trying to find a flaw, I really am, but I just can’t do it. Everything about it is screaming perfection and I am hearing it, loud and clear.

New Super Mario Brothers, first impressions

by 4 Comments

Wow, I don’t know where to start. I picked this up over the extravaganza weekend but just now had a chance to really give it a whirl and I feel like I’m twelve years old again. There hasn’t been a game that has done that in forever. The only reason I’m writing this and not playing is because I just finished the first world as my DS’s battery was about to die and I decided I’d best shut it down and charge it for the night instead of moving on to the next world.

So far, so freaking good.

But how can a game I played almost twenty years ago be any good? Because it’s the quintessential Mario elements – easy and responsive controls, cartoonish appeal, vibrant colors, beautiful music and two dimensions. The platforming presents the same enjoyment as it did years ago and even though there are a few differences in the levels, I could still find the 1-up mushroom in the 1-2 level. I wish I hadn’t started playing so late as I want to keep playing. Curse you, early morning alarm!

It feels good to be a Super Mario Brother again!

Wanna know what gets my goat?

by 11 Comments

When I go into the video game section of Blockbuster and I see the PSP section without a single game being rented but there’s no DS section. I know there was a lot of hype surrounding the PSP and Blockbuster was probably caught up in it but It’s frustrating that they’ve completely ignored the DS rental market. There are a handful of games I’d love to try but I can’t justify purchasing all of them. Blockbuster is missing out on some serious business.

Maybe I’ll have to give Gamefly a try, afterall.

What to do

by 5 Comments

You’ve probably read that Target and other fine retail establishments are already selling Nintendo DS Lites, almost two weeks before the release date. It is tempting to pick one up, as I fully intend on picking up a DS Lite. Nevertheless, this presents a conundrum: I lust after a black (or navy, whatever) DS Lite, not the white DSL. So while I could be jamming on a brand new DS Lite right now, I find myself compelled to wait for the sexier, darker DS Lite.

So do I take the early plunge, get the white DS and then wait until the others are released and trade the white in for one? Or do I hold out longer? There’s nothing wrong with my Electric Blue DS. It’s strictly gadget lust. I must have one of those Lites!

My doom is nigh

by 3 Comments

Tonight I take on Corvus from Man Bytes Blog in the Spring Tournament of Bloggers, playing some Metroid Prime Hunters.

I AM DOOMED. I just checked my Wi-Fi stats and I’ve logged a whopping 4 minutes 59 seconds online. Whatever MPH skills I had have atrophied due to my constant playing of EVE-Online. I haven’t even unlocked any of the other hunters yet. Like I said, I AM DOOMED.

No matter, I’ll give it my best shot. But for now, I’m off to cram for my exam.

I mean seriously. How can I hope to survive against this?

Update: I’ve received a temporary reprieve, as Corvus is having technical issues. We’ll be trying again later.

Post Match Update: Well, the first match for the Tonester did not get off on a good foot. Corvus took me to school, winning big, 5-1. In my defense, I did have him up against the ropes in the beginning but blew myself up with my own missile to start off -1 – 0. He then put a beat down on me and I was humbled. We played a second game “off the record,” but I’d rather not talk about that.

GG, Corvus.

WTS: Used PSP

by 9 Comments

I’m not selling one. But I’m starting to see a rather serious trend here (I could go on, but I’ll spare you). Question is: are there any buyers?

Now that movies on UMD are going the way of the Dodo, so goes the PSP? Will the DS Lite be the final nail in the coffin? Where are the good games, Sony?!

I still have gadget envy everytime I see that gorgeous PSP screen but then I play a game of Animal Crossing. Or Metroid Prime Hunters. And I suddenly feel a twinge of superiority.

What I’m playing

by 3 Comments

I’ve been pretty busy lately and it’s been cutting into my gaming time. We traveled home to my parents house this past weekend for the buttonSon’s first birthday and we’ll be heading to the button-In-Laws this weekend. What’s a gamer to do when he’s busy and on the road? What games should he play? That’s a great question. And the Nintendo DS is a great answer.

This past weekend I had some time to play a little more Metroid Prime Hunters. I’m searching for the perfect “grip”. I am still leaning towards using the touch screen for aiming but, as just about everyone has said, it’s hard to find a comfortable grip for a long period of time. I’d also like to use the right trigger for my fire button but that isn’t possible without reversing the controls. Neither are deal breakers but are not conducive to long periods of MPH gaming (which, coupled with a lack of save points, can be a pain, as Josh noted). During one of my MPH breaks, I jumped back into Metroid Fusion, which is still a good time. I think I’m close to finally finishing it. The DS and its GBA slot is almost a perfect little machine. The DS Lite can’t arrive soon enough.

I’m also still working off my Nook Loan. Thanks to my helpful commenters, I have been regularly opening my gates and increasing the value of my turnips. I have a flea market coming up this weekend, so I’m starting to hoard the expensive fish.

My Newest RideWhen I have a few moments to game at home, I’ve been playing EVE. I’m giving each of the “professions” a try. I’ve given manufacturing a try, churning out a bunch of small projectile ammo. I was hoping for a great “crafting” experience but it was a little too hands off for my liking. It still seems like a very viable way to make ISK so I haven’t sworn it off yet, I just didn’t get the crafting feedback I had hoped for. I upgraded my Probe for a Thrasher (pictured here) which was a big upgrade, fire-power-wise (even though it looks wimpy with those little turrets). With my newfound muscle I “ganged up” with BM reader Bobster for a little pirate hunting and that was a good time. Not entirely lucrative, but we weren’t going after the big boys. We’ll be trying some low-security mining soon, so we’ll see how that goes. I’ve also been running as many missions as I can.

Since I’ll be out of town again this weekend, I’m hoping to finish up Metroid Fusion, get some more MPH time in and finally crack the seal on one of the games that interested me in the DS in the first place – Trauma Center. Can’t wait.

What about you guys? Playing anything new? Outside of GRAW and Oblivion, there doesn’t seem to be a bunch of new stuff out there. I’ve been eyeing Galactic Civilizations II but I don’t think I can take on another game right now.

In my hands

by 12 Comments

Metroid Prime Hunters

Impressions to follow…

Update: Okay, while my DS is recharging, I’ve got a moment to comment on Hunters. I naturally started with the single player game and so far I like it. I am thoroughly impressed with the looks and sounds of the game. It definitely feels like a Prime game, complete with the scanning. That they shrunk it down to the DS’s size is quite impressive. I think I’m about quarter of the way through the first mission. I’m after some hot bounty and I’ve already had to vaporize a rival Hunter. Sorry about that, Kanden.

After finding my way back to my ship to save, I decided to give WiFi a go. I simply went with the vanilla death match and looked for some local players. I met up with “Doc” and no one else, so we went mano a mano in a struggle to the death. Actually, really just my death. He smoked me 7-0. I was sorta glad my battery was dieing so I could quit for the time being. The game was fast but it felt like we were both getting used to the controls. Maybe me a little more than him, since he did thrash me, but it looked like he was sorta fumbling, too. Just fumbling less than me. The actual game wasn’t too positive but the experience of getting started and connecting to a game were the best I’ve had with the Nintendo WiFi Connection. I hope this is the way Nintendo continues to use its WiFi service – no friend codes needed. There is, of course, a friend code, but this time it’s not as necessary.

So far, so good. I’m still trying to figure out which control scheme I like. At first I hated using the touch screen for looking/aiming/turning but I quickly got used to it (I was even using the little nub strap you get with the DS). When I played the WiFi match I tried the dual-control, which uses the buttons (ABXY) instead of the touch screen and that surprisingly felt awkward. I figured that would be the control scheme I used, but right now I’m leaning toward the touch screen. A little more playing time is in order. Right after the batteries (and my ego) have recharged.

When I do get on, I think I’m going to try and finish the first single player mission. Or maybe I’ll get in a WiFi match or two. If you’ve got the game, hit me up in the comments with your friend code. Mine is listed below:

Friend Code:
1289
1659
2568

Some thoughts…

by 3 Comments

I know blogging has been light lately, but RL keeps getting in the way. I’d like to say gaming has kept me away but sadly that isn’t the case. Gaming has been limited to EVE lately, with an occasional Animal Crossing break.

Even with the lack of blogging, I wanted to post a few thoughts I’ve had recently:

  • Even with two AAA titles out in the past couple of weeks (Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter and Oblivion), I still find that I’m not really gravitating toward the Xbox 360. All the trimmings on the periphery (Xbox Live Arcade, Gamer Points) still intrigue me but the games don’t. I’ve never played any of the Elder Scrolls games (even though I own Morrowind) but I’ve been fascinated by the excited anticipation surrounding Oblivion. I’ll be watching Adam’s blog, since he’s in the same boat and will be playing an Elder Scrolls game for the first time. Even with all the excitement, I’m still content with the occasional Halo 2 match with friends and a little NCAA 2006. I’d also like to snag a copy of both Mercenaries and Forza since I never finished either of those. And I also have a stack of games that I’ve only played briefly that I’d like to get to. So yeah, I’m really not feeling the 360 right now.

    So I’m not sure what will be the title that pushes me over the edge. Probably the next NCAA title. If not that, then certainly the next Halo.

  • That being said, I am currently drooling over the DS Lite. I don’t know when it hits our shores, but man I want that! It just looks sexy (something the original does not). While I’d really like to get a black Lite, I think the dark blue (Navy enamel or something) will do. I’m also pumped about Metroid Prime Hunters. If I have a chance, I’ll be picking up a copy later this evening, but you never know how that works. I was a little worried about the control scheme, but after reading Tycho’s blurb about it you can color me excited.
  • I’m really digging EVE-Online. So much so that I’m running a mission as I type. I never got around to Auto Assault and now I doubt I will. It’s not that I didn’t want to, but the gaming buffet is already overflowing. With Metroid and Tetris on the cusp, I just don’t need another time sink. It isn’t easy being a gamer.
  • I have a bunch of posts that are in various states of completion that I’d like to get to at some point. I’ve got stuff on MMOs (Sports games in particular), video game music (and other music-related stuff) and whatever else fills the empty space in my head. I’ll get around to them eventually. Right now, someone is in dire need of Antibiotics and I’ve got to deliver.

Turnip Market Crash!

by 7 Comments

B0009Z3MQK-01-_AA_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg[Animal Crossing: Wild World]: Either it’s Black Monday every Monday in my Animal Crossing town, or Tom Nook and Joan (the Turnip Lady) are in cahoots to financially ruin me. In the Gamecube version of Animal Crossing, playing the turnip market was very lucrative. I paid my house off in record time by simply buying low and selling high. That’s Investing 101, look it up.

Well for the past couple months, I’ve dutifully met up with Joan Sunday mornings and spent a fair amount of bells buying White Turnips at extortion-like prices. We’re talking almost 100 bells a turnip. That’s highway robbery. Then I check turnip prices daily with Tom Nook. He refuses to offer me more than 75 bells a turnip. That’s just not right. There needs to be a Wild World Securities and Exchange Commision investigation or something. Those two are ruining me. There’s no way I’m I’m paying that mortgage off now.

I tried my hand with a Red Turnip, which I sold to Nook for 16,000 bells. ONE fricken turnip! It must be some kind of controlled substance. No one pays that kind of money for a glorified root. I’d grow more to keep him hopped-up on a red turnip high but I keep forgetting to water them and they die on me.

Those poor things are delicate.

Update:This will take you to the old Friend Code post. Here is my AC:WW Town info. Add me and let me know you’re code, too!

Name: Tonester
Town: Pamplona
Friend Code: 2749-3859-8704